Veteran actor Olu Jacobs dies at 84

Abdullateef Fowewe

Veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs has died at the age of 84.
His wife, actress Joke Silva, confirmed the development in an Instagram post on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

Silva described the actor, who was born Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, as “The Lion of Lufodo” and said his family was announcing his death “with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought.”

“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle,” she wrote.

Jacobs, a respected figure in Nigeria’s film and theatre industry, was born on July 11, 1942.

He was also a recipient of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) national honour.

Silva appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect the family’s privacy during the period of mourning.

“We call on all bloggers and social media influencers to respect our family’s privacy at this time,” she added.